Over eight million people in the United States seek emergency medical care each year following a slip and fall accident [1]. Springfield, Illinois, residents suffer from significant slip and fall injuries following work, weather, and negligence-related dangers.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers are here to help victims navigate Springfield slip and fall cases. If you suffered harm due to someone else’s negligence, our Springfield personal injury lawyers are here to help you consider your legal options and recover damages.
Are Slip and Fall Cases Hard to Win?
Slip and fall accidents are all too common in Springfield, Illinois. However, receiving the funds you need to cover your incurred medical bills isn’t so easy.
The state of Illinois requires those injured in a slip and fall case to prove negligence. Building a strong case requires identifying liability and then proving why that person or organization is responsible for your injury.
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers has decades of experience with Springfield, Illinois, courts and slip-and-fall cases. We know what it takes to build a solid case. We offer a free initial consultation, which allows you to explore your options before deciding what steps to take.
However, because of time-sensitive evidence and strict state time limits, taking action as soon as possible is crucial.
How Common Are Slip and Fall Injuries in Springfield, IL?
Slip and fall injuries are among some of the most common personal injury claims in the Springfield, Illinois, area. Here are a few things to know about Springfield slip and falls:
- The NPR Illinois reports that drivers running red lights is becoming an increasing problem in Springfield, IL, which could lead to more trip-related pedestrian incidents [2].Â
- Springfield, IL, EMS reports an average of 4.8% daily phone calls related to fall injuries [3].
- An estimated 16.5% of work-related fatalities in Illinois are from falls, slips, or trips [4].
- Construction laborers in Springfield, IL, are at the highest risk for fall-related work injuries [5].
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident in Springfield
If you find yourself injured in a slip and fall incident in Springfield, Illinois, you should make it a point to complete the following important steps:
- Seek medical care: Seeking immediate medical care should be a priority after suffering an injury. Immediate medical care ensures you receive the medical treatment you need and provides a paper trail of evidence in case you decide to file a claim.
- Gather proof: Illinois state law requires sufficient evidence for personal injury claims. Gather proof as soon as possible, including medical bills and evidence of your injuries.
- Manage witnesses: Witnesses play an important role in a slip and fall case. Your legal team can track down expert witnesses if necessary, but you should gather the contact information of any witnesses on the scene if possible.
- Talk with a lawyer: Discussing your case with a Springfield slip and fall injury attorney is a must as soon as possible following your accident. This gives your lawyer time to build a valid claim and stay within the state’s time limits.
Liability for Slip and Fall Accidents
Identifying liability is one of the most important components of filing slip and fall claims. Illinois law provides that any of the following could be liable for a slip and fall accident:
- Property owner: The state of Illinois expects property owners to maintain their properties so they’re free of danger. Failing to do so could make them liable;
- Property manager: Some property owners outsource the care and maintenance of their property to a property manager, who could also be held liable if an injury occurs;
- Contractor: Contractors must maintain a safe work environment for workers and visitors. Injured employees may recover compensation if a contractor’s negligence causes them injury;
- Employees: Employees who are in charge of repairing broken floorboards, laying carpet, or assisting nursing home residents could be found liable in a slip and fall case.
How Do I Find Out If the Property Owner Acted Negligently?
Proving negligence can be one of the most difficult parts of building a successful slip and fall case.
- Failing to maintain a property: Property owners and managers must maintain property so they’re free of hazards;
- Failure to display a wet floor sign: Wet floor signs should be used to notify visitors of a potential danger;
- Loose floorboards: Loose or broken floorboards or walkways need to be repaired promptly, and in the meantime, should include a warning sign;
- Not installing safety guard rails: Some property environments, including hospitals or nursing homes, require safety guard rails;
- Nursing home abuse or neglect: Some slip and fall incidents can arise from nursing home abuse or neglect.
The Illinois Premises Liability Act requires property owners to exercise reasonable care and protect individuals from danger. The act requires the property owner to notify visitors if a known danger is present. Failing to do so could be proof of liability if a person becomes injured on the property.
Common Injuries Sustained in Slip and Fall Accidents
Some of the most common injuries sustained in slip and fall cases include the following:
- Broken bones
- Fractures
- Internal organ injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Fatal injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injury
- Spinal cord injury
How a Springfield Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Can Help
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers have in-depth experience in navigating Springfield’s legal system in relation to slip and fall accidents. Here are just a few ways a Springfield slip and fall injury attorney from our legal team can help your case:
- Free initial consultation: A free consultation allows you to explore your legal options without committing to a lawsuit.
- Communicate with other legal teams: Our legal team will manage all communication with other law offices on your behalf, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
- Communicate with the insurance company: Our Springfield personal injury lawyers will also manage communications with the insurance company, ensuring prompt payment.
- Collect evidence to prove negligence: A successful case requires sufficient proof of negligence. Our legal team will consult with witnesses and medical professionals to ensure a fair financial settlement.
- Consult on potential settlement offers: Many personal injury cases are settled out of court. Our team will use its legal experience to help you decide if a settlement offer fairly covers your economic and non-economic damages.
- Prepare your case for trial: If a settlement offer doesn’t appropriately cover your damages, our team will prepare your case for trial.
Damages Recovered in Slip and Fall Personal Injury Claims
Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers aim to obtain maximum compensation for Springfield, Illinois, slip and fall victims. Some of the damages we can recover in a slip and fall case include the following:
- Medical expenses: Slip and fall accidents can lead to a wide range of serious injuries, often leading to the victim incurring high medical expenses;
- Lost wages: Recovery from a slip and fall accident can lead to a temporary or permanent loss of wages;
- Counseling costs: A slip and fall accident can affect a victim psychologically, often leading to necessary counseling costs;
- Property damages: Our team will work to recover property damage losses;
- Rehabilitative costs: Some slip and fall victims may require rehabilitative therapy to recover;
- Diminished earning capacity: Slip and fall victims can also be compensated for accidents impacting their earning capability;
- Loss of consortium: A loss of consortium covers a loss of a relationship, most common in slip and fall incidents that lead to a loss of life;
- Burial costs: In the case of wrongful death, burial costs can be recovered;
- Punitive damages: Although less common, some slip and fall victims may be eligible for punitive damages. These funds, in addition to recoverable damages, are meant to ensure that the negligent person is punished. Illinois doesn’t set a limit on punitive damages in personal injury cases.
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Personal Injury Claim?
Illinois sets time limits on how long you have to file a claim, also known as the statute of limitations. The time limit on slip and fall cases in Illinois is two years from the date of the injury. Some case details, however, can affect this time limit.
How Long Does Settling a Slip And Fall Claim Take?
There is also no set timeline on how long you can expect it to take to settle your slip and fall case. Instead, this timeline depends on many factors, including the skill of your lawyer, the details of your case, and the availability of evidence showing the defendant’s negligence.
Some slip and fall cases may take longer to investigate, which can lengthen the timeline. Additionally, the extent of damages may also require more time. A slip and fall lawsuit with broken bones and minimal lost wages may not take as long as a lawsuit that involves traumatic brain injuries.
How Much Does a Springfield Slip and Fall Injury Attorney Cost?
The cost of legal fees associated with a slip and fall case varies, depending on the details of your case. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers works on a contingency fee basis, which means you never pay anything unless we win your case. We also offer free consultations allowing you to explore your options without any commitment.
Even if we’re able to secure you a financial settlement, you never pay anything out of pocket. Any legal fees owed come right out of your settlement offer, ensuring you always have the funds necessary to cover your costs.
Contact Our Springfield Slip and Fall Lawyers Today!
Working with a Springfield slip and fall injury attorney can improve your chances of a successful claim while also speeding up the time it takes to receive compensation. Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers’ legal team has extensive experience with state and local slip and fall laws and can help you navigate your case. We offer a free consultation and never charge anything upfront.
Contact us today at (888) 424-5757 or fill out our online form to discuss your case with a Springfield personal injury lawyer.
Resources: [1] National Floor Safety Institute, [2] NPR Illinois, [3] Springfield Fire Department, [4] State of Illinois Department of Public Health, [5] Illinois GovernmentÂ